| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Bordeaux > Right Bank > Pomerol |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
A fleshy, full-throttle wine with lots of mocha, kirsch, mulberry, and plum, their 2010 displays a smorgasbord of aromas, a full-bodied mouthfeel, terrific purity, density and even a hint of lead pencil shavings and subtle toasty oak. If you want to understand the genius of the Rollands, there is no better example than looking at their own wine from this property in Pomerol. The tannins are present, but not that significant, thus I tend to think the wine will come into its own in 4-5 years and last for 20 or more.
Constantly in the spotlight as the globe-trotting wine-making gurus of Libourne, Michel and Dany Rolland may not have the best terroir in Pomerol at their flagship estate, Bon Pasteur, but through a very strict selection, they exploit it beautifully.
Tasted at the chateau, the Le Bon Pasteur has a very fine bouquet with hints of autumn leaves on the well-defined nose, a touch of black truffle emerging with time. It is very pure and alluring. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy entry, a firm backbone and a complex, tertiary tinged finish that shows very fine persistency. This is a serious Bon Pasteur that deserves 5 to 7-years in bottle and is in my opinion, one of the finest wines from this estate to date. Tasted November 2012.
What a wine. Cool purple fruit at first with plums, coffee and red peppercorns. Very elegant on the palate opening up with a great texture and finesse. Deep and profound yet still so harmonious. Hazelnut and chocolate. It comes together beautifully.
Deep garnet in color, the 2010 Bon Pasteur leaps from the glass with scents of blackberry compote, plum preserves and spiced blueberries plus hints of chocolate mint and pencil lead. Medium-bodied, the palate is taut, firm and chewy with plenty of expressive black and blue fruit layers on the long finish. 2020 - 2040
Ripe but harmonious. Creamy, raspberry notes with an almost citrus lift. Subtle, integrated oak. Suave texture. Fine, ripe tannins. Persistent. Drink 2017-2030.
Michel and Dany Rolland's flagship estate, Bon Pasteur, turned out an atypically powerful wine in 2010. It boasts a dense ruby/purple color, great fruit on the attack, mid-palate and finish, super freshness for its size, full-bodied power and lots of mulberry, caramel, mocha, earth and graphite characteristics. Give this beauty 5-7 years of cellaring (unusual for a Bon Pasteur) and drink it over the following 25 years.
Tasted at the Syndicat de Pomerol and at negoçiants. The Le Bon Pasteur 2010 has a very pure bouquet with just a hint of anis, tightly wound at first but opening nicely in the glass with hints of orange-blossom. The palate is very difficult to assess at the moment with very bold tannins, very grippy and assertive. Affording the sample some aeration, it develops a touch of spice and dried herbs towards the finish. Sultry and brooding, this will demand several years ageing before it reaches its plateau but I like this style of Bon Pasteur. Look out for the name, Michel Rolland. I think he'll be big. Tasted April 2011.
I love the crescendo to this wine. It starts up slowly and then builds and builds, with amazingly beautiful tannins and complex fruit and wood. Layered on the palate. Best ever from here?
